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They said he is too old for the ODIs. And he answered them in the way he knows best, going for the big hits and setting new records both for himself and the team.Today, as the Master Blaster turns a year older, let us look back at the career of someone who has come to represent cricket to many people of this generation.

Sachin Tendulkar has come a long way from that fresh-faced boy who debuted at the age of 16 in Karachi, against the Pakistanis?Now, he is a living legend to whom all of Indian cricket is looking up to. He impressed one and all with his attitude and approachin 1989, though he did not manage too many runs.

But, Sachin was perfect. He had it in him. And as the years went by, his movements spoke economy, he had perfect balance,and precision in stroke making. He now is the highest run scorer in both Test matches and ODIs, and also the batsman withthe most centuries in either form of the game.

Sachin's tour of England in 1990 saw him score his first Test century at Old Trafford. Tendulkar further enhanced his development intoa world-class batsman during the 1991–1992 tour of Australia that included an unbeaten 148 in Sydney. The great Shane Warne too made his debut in the match, where opposing bowler Merv Hughes told his captain Allan Border, "This little guy's going to get more runs than you, AB."

Merv Hughes statement became a reality. 2008 was special for Sachin. He hit his first century in Australia to propel India to six-wicket winagainst the World Champions in the first of the three-match final of the Common Wealth Bank tri-series. Tendulkar,with his 117 not out off 120 balls, surpassed his previous best in Australia and extended his world record feat of most hundreds (42) in ODIs.

Sachin Tendulkar surpassed Brian Lara's record for the most runs scored in Test Cricket in October 2008 by amassing more than 12,000 Test runs.He also holds the record for the first player to score 10,000 runs in one-day internationals. 'If it comes along the way, I will cherish it.But to me records are a number game. Winning matches for India is more important,' says Sachin.

And win he did. His solid knock brought him the much awaited ton in New Zealand and for the team, a series win against the Kiwis.Such was the elegance of this 'Little Master' that Sir Richard Hadlee said that he rated Tendulkar even higher than Don Bradman,considering Sachin's staggering success in both the long and short formats of the game. "Nobody has ever said like that before. I am happy and satisfied,"an elated Tendulkar said. "This comes as a pleasant surprise and it comes from a personality whose credentials cannot be questioned. I am happythat I played with him on my first tour to New Zealand in 1989," he added.

Recognition came from other quarters too. Madame Tussauds came out with a wax replica of this legend.The replica was flown into India and was unveiled by none other than Sachin himself. "It is a great honour to be there at the Tussauds.I know I am the first sportsperson of the country to be there. I think it is an appreciation and a reflection of my contribution to Indian cricket,"he said after unveiling the statue.

Let us go back in time and see what makes Sachin special. Sachin was asked to open against the Kiwis in Aucklandwhere he went on to make 82 runs off just 49 balls. But he could not complete the ton. The wait was long, a bit too long till he did it in 2009. Tendulkar became one of India's key openers. The batsman, the country looked up to give it a solid start.

This was the beginning of a period at the top of the batting world, culminating in the Australian tour of India in early 1998,with Tendulkar scoring three consecutive centuries.

His stroke play was so legendary that bowlers used to cherish taking his wickets. Glen McGrath, Warne,there was never a great bowler who Tendulkar had not sent high across the boundary ropes.

And during the 1996 World Cup Sachin was the leading run scorer. He single handedly took the team forward.When he lost his wicket, the batting lineup crumbled like a house of cards. If there is one thing this player wants,Sachin has been quoted as saying it is to win the World Cup for the country

In 1995, Sachin Tendulkar married Anjali (born 10 November 1967), the pediatrician daughter of Gujarati industrialist,Anand Mehta. They have two children, Sara (born 12 October 1997), and Arjun (born 24 September 1999).

Tendulkar's two tenures as captain of the Indian cricket team were not very successful. When Tendulkar took over as Captain in 1996,it was with huge hopes and expectations. However, by 1997 the team was performing poorly. Azharuddin was credited with saying "Nahin jeetega! Chote ki naseeb main jeet nahin hai!",[27] which translates into: "He won't win! It's not in the small one's destiny".

It was in 1999 that Sachin suffered a chronic back-pain. And it was just the beginning. He started missing matches,after suffering injuries, especially of his elbow, leading to talks of his retirement. He himself has rubbished any such talk of his quitting the game.

Tendulkar, succeeding Azharuddin as captain for his second term, then led India on a tour of Australia, where the visitors were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by the newly-crowned world champions.Tendulkar, however, was at his usual best and won the player of the tournament award as well as player of the match in one of the games. After another Test series defeat, this timeby a 0-2 margin at home against South Africa, Tendulkar resigned, and Sourav Ganguly took over as captain in 2000.

Tendulkar remains an integral part of the Indian team's strategic processes.He's often found discussing with the captain and involved in building strategies.

Tendulkar made 673 runs in 11 matches in the 2003 Cricket World Cup, helping India reach the final.While Australia retained the trophy that they had won in 1999, Tendulkar was given the Man of the Tournament award.

On 10 December 2005, at Feroz Shah Kotla, he scored record-breaking 35th Test century, against the Sri Lankans.On 6 February 2006, Tendulkar scored his 39th ODI hundred, in a match against Pakistan. He followed with a run-a-ball42 in the second ODI against Pakistan on February 11, 2006, and then a 95 in hostile, seaming conditions on 13 February 2006in Lahore, which set up an Indian victory.

But do they really work?There?s no denying that as we age chronologically, our body ages right along with us.The good news is that you can increase your chances of maintaining a healthy brain ?if you add ?smart? foods and beverages to your diet.

One of the great benefits of protein is that it generally makes you feel satisfied longerthan carbohydrates and fats. Eating a diet rich in lean and low-fat protein is good for weight loss and overall health ? though it?s hard to draw a connection with brain function.

A protein source associated with a great brain boost is fish ? rich in omega 3 fatty acids,essential for brain function and development. These healthy fats have amazing brain power:higher dietary omega 3 fatty acids are linked to lower dementia and stroke risks; slower mentaldecline; and may play a vital role in enhancing memory, especially as we get older.

For brain and heart health, eat two servings of fish weekly.

Add a Daily Dose of Nuts and Chocolate

Nuts and seeds are good sources of the antioxidant vitamin E, which is associated with less cognitive decline as you age.Dark chocolate also has powerful antioxidant properties, and contains natural stimulants like caffeine, which can enhance focus and concentration.Enjoy up to an ounce a day of nuts and dark chocolate to provide all the benefits you need without excess calories, fat, or sugar

Research in animals shows that blueberries help protect the brain from oxidative stressand may reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer?s disease or dementia.Studies also show that diets rich in blueberries significantly improved both the learning capacityand motor skills of aging rats, making them mentally equivalent to much younger rats.

Store shelves groan with supplements claiming to boost health. Although many of the reportson the brain-boosting power of supplements like vitamins B, C, E, beta-carotene, andmagnesium are promising, they?re inconclusive.

Researchers are cautiously optimistic about ginseng, gingko, or vitamin, mineral,and herb combinations and their impact on the brain.

A daily multivitamin is OK, but check with your doctor before taking other